Banks and Credit Cards
If your hometown bankcard is one with "Interact,""Cirrus" or "Plus" printed on it, you can use it at cash machines located thoughout PV. Funds are withdrawn from your account in pesos according to the exchange rate that day. All major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops.

Buses
Getting around the city by bus is a very inexpensive way to travel. Fares anywhere in town are $4.50 pesos, about 40 cents. Buses can be caught at nearly every corner and run from early morning until 11 p.m. There is even bus service for out-of-town trips. Larger more comfortable buses make the 5-hour trip to Guadalajara or to Mexico City in 12 hours.

Consulates
The American Consulate
Kelly Trainor
Zaragoza 160, second floor
Tel. 222-0069, Fax 223-0074

The Canadian Consulate
Lyne Benoit
Fco. Medina Ascencio 1951 L-108
Tel. 293-0099, Fax 223-0098

Consumer Affairs "Profeco"
Tel. 225-0000, 225-0018

Cuban Cigars
Cuban cigars are available for purchase in Mexico. They are generally expensive and are not allowed back into the United States. However, they can be taken back to Canada.

Currency
Pesos are the currency used in Mexico. Bills come in denominations of $500, $200, $100, $50 and $20 pesos. Coins are in denominations of $1, $2, $5 and $10 pesos and 5,10,20 and 50 centavos. The exchange rate fluctuates daily. Exchange rates vary widely from exchange booths and from bank to bank.

Documents
When you enter Mexico you are given a tourist card, which you must return when you leave. If you lose the card, you will need to go to the Mexican Immigration office at the Maritime Terminal to obtain another (224-7653). You will need proof of how you entered the country–such as a plane ticket–and identification–driver's license, passport, birth certificate or voters registration card. These are the same means of identification needed to cross the border into Mexico.

Dress
The dress in Puerto Vallarta is very casual. Shorts and T-shirts are the order of the day. At night, men can be seen in casual slacks at the more upscale restaurants and events, ladies in light summer-type dresses. In the winter months, bring a sweater for evenings. Sun hats and cover-ups are a good idea, and don't forget the sun block.

Drugs
Mexico is under Napoleonic law, which means you are GUILTY until proven innocent - got the picture?

Electricity
Mexico uses 110 volt-60 current, the same as the U.S.A. and Canada. No adapters are needed; however, three-prong adapters are good to bring along.

Emergencies
Police
Emergency Tel: 060, Non-emergency Tel: 221-2588, 223-2500

Fire Department
Emergency Tel: 060, Non-emergency Tel: 293-1712

Medical Services
AmeriMed American Hospital: 221-0023, 221-0024
San Javier Hospital: 226-1010
CMQ Hospital: 223-1919
Private Ambulance: 225-0386
Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Ambulance: 222-1533

Local Time
Puerto Vallarta is in the Central Time Zone (the same as Texas), which is two hours ahead of California and one hour behind New York.

Taxis
With more than 1,000 taxis in town, there is no problem hailing one. Taxi fares are set in PV. Fares are posted in each taxi, the daily newspaper and most major hotels. Asking about the fare before you get in may save you a few pesos.

Telephones
Telmex is the only telephone company in Mexico. Rates are higher here for long distance than in many other countries. The Mexican long distance company is Ladatel; they have phones on nearly every street corner and in many hotels. You can purchase phone cards at local vendors around town for use in these phones, a much less expensive way to call home given the tax placed on all international calls.
To call Puerto Vallarta from the U.S.A., dial 011 52 (322) then the seven-digit number. For dialing to the U.S.A. from Mexico on a private phone line, dial 001+ area code and seven-digit number.

Tourist Office
The Puerto Vallarta Tourist Office is located downtown in the Presidencia Municipal building. They can answer travel questions and are a good resource for information about Puerto Vallarta. The local number is 222-0242 or 222-0243. From the U.S.A. call 011 52 (322) 222-0242. The Mexico Tourist office can be reached at (800) 446-3942.

Water
While the water in Puerto Vallarta is some of the best in Mexico and is tested regularly, it is wiser to stick with bottled water. Most restaurants, bars and hotels use purified water, to be sure just ask. If cooking or preparing vegetables for salads, use products such as "Microdyn" to purify the water you soak them in.

Weather
Puerto Vallarta is on the same parallel as Hawaii, thus shares the same tropical weather patterns. PV enjoys nearly 300 sunny days a year, with temperatures averaging 28C or 82F. During the winter months daily temperatures are between 78-85F , cooling to around 70F at night. The rainy season starts in mid-June and lasts till mid-October, bringing tropical rains and temperatures in the 90s with very high humidity. The hottest months are August and September.